Computing-scale.



No. 760,432. 1 PATENTED MAY 24, 1904.

A. G. DODGE.

OOMPUTIN G SCALE.-

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' No. 760,432. PATBNTED MAY 24, 1904.

A. c. DODGE.

COMPUTING SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1m.

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PATENTED MAY 24, 1904.

A. O. DODGE. COMPUTING SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1899.

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UNITED STATES Patented May 24, 1904.

ALFRED C. DODGE, OF BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK.

COMPUTING-SCALE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 760,432, dated May 24, 1904. Application filed July 2'7, 1899. Serial No. 725,286. (No model.)

To all 1072,0111, Lt may concern: I

Be it known that I, ALFRED O. DODGE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Binghamton, in the-county of Broome and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Computing-Scales, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to computing-scales. It has for its object to simplify the construction of such scales, to dispense with the use of removable weights or poises, to make such scales more sensitive, reliable, and accurateand less hkely to get out of order, and generally to simplify'the construction and operation of such machines.

It consists in the novel devices herein shown and described.

In the drawings accompanying this specifi- 5 is an enlarged detail face View of a part of one of the beams, showing the method of venecring the face of the beam with celluloid and for marking the graduations thereon.

Fig. 6 isa cross-section through the same on the hnes A A of Fig. 5 viewed as shown by, the arrow; and Fig. 7 is a detail'showing the pound-and-ounce beam with my improved revoluble scoop-counterbalance weight attached thereto.

Referring now to the form or embodiment.

of my invention shown in the drawings, 1 and 2 form the combined dollar-andpent beam; 3, the pound-and-ounce beam; 4, the steelyardbeam, and 5 the connecting-beam adapted to connect the steelyard-beam with the dollarand-cent beam, as will be presently described.

6 is the cent-poise, and 7 the dollar-poise,

the said poises being adapted to slide along,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section the cent and dollar portions, respectively, of the dollar-and-cent beam.

8 is the pound-and-ounce poise adapted to slide alongthe pound-and-ounce beam 3.

9 is a supporting-poise mounted upon and movable along steelyard-rod beam 4 and arranged to rest upon connecting-beam 5 at any point along the length of the said connectingbeam and to be supported by said connectingbeam. Steelyard-rod beam 4 is connected to platform 38 and its connecting parts by means of the following-described mechanism: Movable platform 38 may rest upon supportinglevers in any well-known manner. As shown, these levers consist of a, T-shaped lever 42 42 43 (the upper parts 42 42 of the T being connected to the steelyard-rods and the other end being preferably divided into two arms 46 46) and a lever 47. 48 48 are the pivots of these levers, upon which platform 38 rests, and 49 49 are the pivots upon which the levers turn on the framework of the scale. Lever 47 runs under lever 43, as shown in Fig.4, and is connected to lever 43 by loop 50 and pivot 51, integral with lever 43, and a similar pivot 52, integral with lever 47. 42 is connected at each end by means of pivot 40 and loop 41 with steelyard-rods 32. These rods are secured at their upper ends to steelyardrod beam 4. Theweight of the load upon platform 38 is thus borne through supporting-levers 47 46 43 42 and steelyardrods 32,

vbeam 4, supporting-poise 9, and connectingbeam 5.

The weight of the platform and its connections-namely,the supporting-levers, rods 32, beam 4,,and poise 9 can be counterbalanced in any suitable manner. As shown, I accomplish by means of a counter-lever .28, fulcrumedinany suitable manner to the framework of the scale and adapted to carry a weight 10 to counterbalance the platform and connections. As shown, I fulcrum lever 28 upon pivot 30, resting in a loop of counterlever support 29, secured to the framework of the scale. I pivotally connect the counterlever 28 to the steelyard-rods. As shown, this is done by steelyard-rod support 34, secured to steelyard-rod 32, resting, by means of loop 35, on pivot 36, projecting from counterlever 28. WVeight 10 is adjusted so as to exactly counterbalance the Weight of the platform and its connections and, if desired, also any dish or receptacle that may be placed upon the platform.

Connecting-beam 5 is fulcrumed in the framework of the scale at any suitable point. As shown in the drawings, it is fulcrumed at 24 in the casing by means of the usual pivot and loop. The dollar-and-cent beam is fulcrumed in the framework of the scale in any suitable manner. As shown, it is fulcrumed by means of two beam-stands 15, each having a cap 16, beam-stand bearing 17, and a pivotrod 18, engaging with the bearings and carrying the dollar-and-cent beam. The pivotal connections between the dollar-andcent beam and the connecting-beam, as shown, consist of a connecting-rod 19, having an upper loop 20 and a lower loop 21, engaging with pivots 22 and 23 upon the dollar-and-cent beam and connecting-beam, respectively, as shown in Fig. 2. By shifting the supporting-poise 9 along steelyard-rod beam 4, so as to cause the poise to rest upon connecting-beam 5 at different points, the weight of the load is carried by the connecting-beam at different points. By this shifting and by the moving of the sliding poises 6 and 7, or either one of them, along the dollar-and-cent beam the proper amount of the load for a given amount of money and at a fixed price, or the value of the load at a given price, or the price of a given weight of load for a fixed amount of money, can be readily and automatically computed bythe machine.

Suitable graduated scales are arranged in connection with the dollar-and-cent beam, the connecting-beam, and the poundandounce beam, as shown in Fig. 1. The price-scale'26 is preferably placed upon the face of cap 25 of the machine. An indicator 27 is secured to poise 9, so as to move with it. This indicator passes forward through a slot in the cap and is adapted to move over the face of the price-scale 26. Poise 9 can be moved along steelyard-rod beam 4 by any suitable means. In the form of device shown I move it by means of indicator 27. The pound-and-ounce beam 3 is secured to counter-lever 28, so as to swing with it. By means of beam 3, poise 8, lever 28, gooseneck 31, and weight 10 the machine can be used for the simple weighing of articles. WVhen used as a eomputing-scale, however, poise 8 must be pushed to the extreme left, as shown in Fig. 1.

In order to bring steelyard-rod beam 4 and supporting-poise 9 above connectingbeam 5, which is the preferred form of construction, I preferably curve the rods 32 at .point 44, so as to form a half-loop around connecting-beam 5. In the form shown in the drawings I also preferably form a loop 33 in the said steelyard-rods in order to take them around counter-lever 28.

I preferably make the dollar and cent poises so that the dollar-poise will be relatively many times heavier than the centpoise. This, together with the form of my dollar-and-cent beam and its arrangement and connection with the other parts of the mechanism, enables me to entirely dispense with the use of removable weights in connection with that beam and to dispense with all weights in connection therewith except the sliding poises. The construction of this part of my improved mechanism is thus greatly simplified and the inconvenience and danger attendant upon the use of movable parts are entirely obviated.

12 and 13 are two disks, each mounted upon an arm pivoted to the pound-and-ounce beam and made so that they can partially revolve. They are so arranged that one only of them is in sight at a time, the other being screened by the beam.. These disks and arms form a counterbalance-weight for neutralizing the weight of a scoop when placed upon platform 38. When the counterbalance is in the position shown in Fig. 7, the scoop is supposed to be off. l/Vhen the scoop is put on, the disks are turned a quarter-revolution to the right, bringing disk 13 in sight and screening disk 12. This slight shifting of the weight of the disk relative to the fulcrum neutralizes the weight of the scoop. Suitable words or marks are placed upon the disks to indicate the absence or presence of the scoop. As shown, upon disk 12 the words Put scoop off are used, and upon disk 13 the words Put scoop on or equivalent expressions are preferably used.

11 11 are the indicating-needles usual in computing-scales, and 14 is the beam-stop.

39 is the base of the computing-scale, and 37 37 are the columns which support the cap.

I prefer to veneer the face of each scalebeam with celluloid or other similar substance, placing the scale-graduated marks upon such veneering. With a scale-beam thus arranged the scale-graduated marks are much more distinct and legible than when made in the usual manner upon metal.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown my preferred construction. As shown, 52 is the celluloid veneering, and 53 53 represent the grad uations ture, expensive in construction, difficult to use, and liable to disarrangement of the parts. In my improved device the fulcrum is always stationary and the weight of the load is shifted relatively to the fulcrum and the weight of the poises. This I accomplish by means of the supporting-poise 9 and its connections. By these means I am enabled to dispense with a carriage orcomplicated construction. The shifting of the weight of the load is easily and readily accomplished. No complicated mechanism is required, the entire construction of the computing-scale is very much simplified, and the scale made much more sensitive, reliable, and accurate and less likely to get out of order. I am also enabled to dispensewith removable weights in connection with the dollar-and-cent beam, as above described.

I am aware that attempts have been made heretofore to make a computing-scale in which the weight of the load is shifted; but in all such scales of whichI am aware the weight of the load is caused. to operate the scale by a push upward instead of as in my construction by the pulling downward of the weight through a supporting-poise resting upon a connecting-beam. In the prior constructions referred to a complicated and intricate system of supporting-levers is required and the entire construction is more complicated and less direct and eflicient in its operation. Moreover, it has been found necessary in such constructions to employ movable weights in con- -nection with the dollar-and-cent beam. By

means of my improvement the computingscales are, moreover. made more sensitive and the removable weights referred to are entirely dispensed with.

What Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a computing-scale the combination of a movable platform, interconnected supporting-levers therefor, steelyard-rods connected to one of said levers, a steelyard-rod beam secured to the steelyard-rods, a connecting-beam fulcrumed in the framework of the computingscale, a poise mounted upon and movable along the steelyard-rod beam and adapted to engage with, press down upon and be supported by, the connecting-beam when a load is placed upon the platform, a dollar-and-cent beam fulcrumed in the framework of the scale, dollar and cent poises mounted thereon, and pivotal connections between said beam and the connecting-beam, whereby by the shifting of the supporting-poise along the connecting-beam and the moving of the dollar and cent poises or either of them along the dollar-and-cent beam, amount, value. or price can be automatically computed.

2. In a computing-scale the combination of a movable platform, interconnected support ing-levers therefor, steelyard-rods connected to one of said levers, a steelyard-rod beam secured to the steelyard-rods, a connectingbeam fulcrumed in the framework of the computing-scale, a poise mounted upon and movable along the steelyartl-rod beam and adapted to engage with, press down upon and be supported by, the connecting-beam when a load is placed upon the platform, means for counterbalancing the saidplatform,supporting-levers, rods, beam and supporting-poise, a dollar-andcent beam fulcrumed in the framework of the scale, dollar and cent poises mounted thereon, and pivotal connections between said beam and the connectingbeam, whereby by the shifting of the. supporting-poise along the connecting-beam and .the moving of the dollar and cent poises or either of them along the dollar-and-cent beam, amount, valueor price can be automatically computed.

3. In a computing-scale the combination of a movable platform, supporting-levers therefor, steelyard-rods connected with .the said levers, curved at one place so as to form a half-loop around the connecting-beam, a steelyard-rod beam secured to the steelyard-rods, a connecting-beam fulcrumed in the framework of the computing-scale and arranged below the steelyard-rod beam, apoise mounted upon and movable along the steelyard-rod beam and adapted to engage with, press down upon and be supported by, the connectin beain when a load is placed upon the platform, a dollar-and-cent beam fulcrumed in the framework of the scale, dollar and cent poises mounted thereon, and pivotal connections between said beam and the connecting-beam, whereby by the shifting of the supportingpoise along the connecting-beam and the mov-' ing of the dollar and cent poises or either of them along the dollar-and-cent beam, amount, value or price can be automatically computed.

.41. In acomputing-scale thecombination of a movable platform, interconnected supporting-levers therefor, steelyard-rods connected to one of said levers, a steelyard-rod beam secured to thesteelyard-rods, a connectingbeam fulcrumed in the framework of the scale, a poise mounted upon and movable along the steelyard-rod beam and adapted to engage with, "press down upon and be supported by, the connecting-beam when a load is placed upon the platform, an indicator .secured to and moving with the said poise, a price-scale over which the indicator is adapted to move, a dollar-and-cent beam fulcrumed in the framework of the scale, dollar and cent poises mounted thereon, and pivotal connections between said beam and the connectingbeam, whereby by the shifting of the supporting-poise along the connecting-beam and the moving of the dollar and cent poises or either of them along the dollar-andcent beam, amount, value or price can be automatically computed.

5. In a computing-scale the combination of a movable platform, interconnectedsupporting-levers therefor, steelyard-rods' connected to one of said levers, a steelyard-rod beam secured to the steelyard-r'ods, a connecting-beam fulcrumed at one end in the framework of the computing-scale, a poise mounted upon and movable along the steelyard-rod beam and adapted to engage with, press down upon and be supported by, the connecting-beam when a load is placed upon the platform, a dollar-and-eent beam fulcrumed in the framework of the scale, a poise mounted thereon upon one side of the. fulcrum and a rod pivoted at one end to the said beam upon the opposite side of the fulcrum and pivoted at its other end to the connecting-beam between the fulcrum of the latter and the supporting-poise, whereby by the shifting of the supportingpoise along the connecting-beam and the moving of the poise alongthe dollarand-cent beam, amount, value or price can be automatically computed. n g

6. In a computing-scale the combination of a movable platform, interconnected supporting-levers therefor, steelyard-rOds connected to one of said levers, a steelyard-rod beam secured to the steelyard-rods, a connecting-beam .fulcrumed in the "framework of the computing-scale, a poise mounted upon and movable along the steelyard-rod beam and adapted to engage with,press down upon and be supported by, the connecting-beam when a load is placed upon the platform, a counter-lever fulcrumed to theframework of the scale and adapted to carry a weight to counterbalance the platform and connecting parts, pivotal connections between said counter-lever and the steelyard-rods to enable the counter-lever andweight to operate, a dollar-and-cent beam fulcrumed in the framework of the scale, dollar and cent poises mounted thereon, and pivotal connections between said beam and the connecting-beam, whereby by the shifting of the supportingpoise along the conneeting-beam and the moving of the dollar and cent poises or either of them along the dollar-and-cent beam, amount,

- value or price can be automatically computed.

7. In a computing-scale the combination of a movable platform, interconnected supporting-levers therefor, steelyard-rods connected to one of said levers, a steelyardrod beam secured to the steelyard-rods, a connecting-beam fulcrumedin the framework of the computing-scale, a poise mounted upon and movable along the steelyard-rod beam and adapted to engage with, press down upon and be supported by, the connecting-beam when a load is placed upon the platform, a dollar-and-cent beam fulcrumed near one of its ends in the framework of the scale, dollar and cent sliding poises mounted thereon, the dollar-poise being relatively many times heavier than the cent poise, a rod pivoted at one end to the said beam upon the opposite side of the fulcrum from that of the dollar-poise and pivoted at its other end to the connecting-beam,whereby by the shifting of the supporting-poise along the connecting-beam and the moving of the dollar and cent poises or either of them along the dollar-and-cent beam, amount, value or price can be automatically computed without the use of other weights in connection with the dollar-and-cent beam than the said sliding poises.

8. In a computing-scale the combination of a movable platform, interconnected supporting-levers therefor, steelyard-rods connected to one of said levers, a steelyard-rod beamsecured to the steelyard-rods, a connecting-beam fulcrumed in the framework of the computing-scale, a poise mounted upon and movable along the steelyard-rod beam and adapted to engage with, press down upon and be supported by, the connecting-beam when a load is placed upon .the platform, means for counterbalancing the said platform and its connections, a dollar-and-eent beam fulcrumed near one of its ends in the framework of the scale, dollar and cent sliding poises mounted thereon, the dollarpoise being relatively many times heavier than the cent-poise, a rod pivoted at one end to the said beam upon the opposite side of the fulcrum from that of the dollar-poise and pivoted at its other end to the connecting-beam, whereby by the shifting of the supporting-poise along the connectingbeam and the moving of the dollar and cent poises or either of them along the dollar-andcent beam, amount, value or price can be antomaticall y computed without the use of other weights in connection with the d ollar-and-cent beam than the said sliding poises.

9. Ina computing-scale the combination of a movable platform, interconnected supporting-levers therefor, steelyard-rods connected to one of said levers, a steelyard-rod beam secured to the steelyard-rods, a connecting-beam fulcrumed in the framework of the computing-scale, a poise mounted upon and movable along the steelyard-rod beam and adapted to engage with, press down upon and be supported by, the connecting-beam when a load is placed upon the platform, a dollar-and-cent beam fulcrumed near one of its ends in the framework of the scale, dollar and cent sliding poises mounted thereon, the dollar-poise being relatively many times heavier than the cent-poise, a rod pivoted at one end to the said beam upon the opposite side of the fulcrum from that of the poises and pivoted at its other end to the connecting-beam, whereby by the shifting of the supporting-poise along the connecting-beam and the moving of the dollar and cent poises or either of them along the dollar-and-cent beam, amount, value or price can be automatically computed without the use of other weights in connection with the dollar-and-cent beam than the said sliding poises.

10. In a computing-scale, a revoluble scoop counterbalance-weight having two arms pivoted to a pound-and-ounce beam of the scale, each arm carrying a disk, one disk ind ieating the presence of the scoop and the other the absence of the same and means for screening one of the disks and exposing the other,whereby by the partial revolution of the counterrevolution of the counterbalance-Weight the presence or absence of the scoop can be indicated and neutralized.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name I 5 to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED C. DODGE.

Witnesses:

ALAN D. KENYON, EDWIN SEGER. 

